*************************
The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in January showed a decrease of 0.1% (370 cases) over December last year, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (February 7).
Total CSSA caseload at the end of January stood at 294,963 (see attached table), with 520,858 welfare recipients.
Analysed by case nature, the number of unemployment cases decreased by 1.2% to 37,363 cases.
Single parent cases registered a month-to-month slight decrease of 0.1% in January to 38,415.
Low earnings cases showed a month-to-month decrease of 0.5% in January to 18,161.
Total government expenditure on CSSA payments was about $17.8 billion for 2005-06.
Ends/Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:14
NNNN
